This guide explores the intricacies of the Poison condition in Pokémon TCG Pocket, detailing its mechanics, affected cards, countermeasures, and optimal deckbuilding strategies.
Quick Links
- What is Poisoned in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
- Which Cards Inflict Poison?
- How to Cure Poison
- Building a Powerful Poison Deck
Pokémon TCG Pocket incorporates the "Poisoned" status condition, familiar from the physical card game. A Poisoned Active Pokémon loses HP gradually until cured or defeated. This guide clarifies how Poisoned works, which cards utilize it, how to remove it, and how to build effective Poison-based decks.
What is Poisoned in Pokémon TCG Pocket?
Poisoned is a Special Condition inflicting 10 HP loss at the end of each turn. Calculated during the Checkup phase, it persists until cured or the Pokémon faints. While it can combine with other Special Conditions, multiple Poison effects don't stack; the HP loss remains at 10 per turn. However, this status can be exploited by cards like Muk, enhancing its damage output against poisoned opponents.
Which Cards Inflict Poison?
In the Genetic Apex expansion, five Pokémon can inflict Poisoned: Weezing, Grimer, Nidoking, Tentacruel, and Venomoth. Grimer stands out as a Basic Pokémon poisoning foes with a single Energy. Weezing offers another strong option, employing its "Gas Leak" ability (no Energy needed) while Active.
How to Cure Poison?
There are three methods to counter the Poisoned effect:
- Evolution: Evolving a Poisoned Pokémon removes the condition.
- Switching: Benching the affected Pokémon prevents further HP loss.
- Item Cards: Cards like Potion heal HP but don't cure Poison, offering temporary relief.
Building a Powerful Poison Deck?
While not a top-tier archetype, a strong Poison deck can be built around the Grimer, Arbok, and Muk synergy. Grimer quickly poisons opponents, Arbok prevents switching, and Muk inflicts significant damage (up to 120 HP) to poisoned Pokémon.
Here's a sample META deck leveraging this synergy:
Poison Deck Composition
| Card | Quantity | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Grimer | x2 | Applies Poisoned |
| Ekans | x2 | Evolves into Arbok |
| Arbok | x2 | Locks the opponent's Active Pokémon |
| Muk | x2 | Deals 120 DMG to Poisoned Pokémon |
| Koffing | x2 | Evolves into Weezing |
| Weezing | x2 | Applies Poisoned via "Gas Leak" Ability |
| Koga | x2 | Returns Active Weezing or Muk to your hand |
| Poké Ball | x2 | Draws a Basic Pokémon |
| Professor's Research | x2 | Draws two cards |
| Sabrina | x1 | Forces opponent's Active Pokémon to Retreat |
| X Speed | x1 | Reduces Retreat Cost |
